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Zhuang Pinghui

China making rapid antigen tests available to the public for the first time, suggesting a subtle change in tack in its “zero-Covid” response as cases surge.
The National Health Commission said on Friday evening that the tests could be used by anybody for early detection, but particularly those in central isolation or at local medical clinics.
Anybody would be able to buy them.
“To further optimise detection of the Sars-CoV-2 [the virus that causes Covid-19] and serve the needs of epidemic control, the State Council Covid-19 response team has decided to add antigen tests as a complement to nucleic acid tests,” the commission said.
Premier vows China’s Covid-19 strategy will save lives and supply chain
Unlike many other countries where they are considered basic tools, the rapid self-testing kits have not been commercially available to the public in China.
The announcement came as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pledged to fine-tune the country’s “zero-Covid” response to avoid disruptions to the economy and life.
The rapid tests are another way to detect cases early, in addition to lockdowns and sealing off areas for coronavirus screening, the cornerstones of China’s Covid response.
China approved three antigen test kits - ones by Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech, Beijing Jinwofu Bioengineering Technology and BGI Group – in 2020 but did not approve another by Beijing Savant Biotechnology until Wednesday.


The change of attitude follows the biggest national Covid-19 outbreaks the country has seen since it contained the epidemic by April 2020. On Friday alone, China reported 1,100 local infections, up from 185 a week earlier.
The commission said nucleic acid testing was still the basis for confirming a Sars-CoV-2 infection and antigen testing could only be used as a complementary tool, for example at local clinics or hospitals that could not do nucleic tests.
The positive antigen tests must be reported immediately to “the relevant authorities” and confirmed with nucleic tests when necessary.
Those who test positive will be reported to disease control agencies to be transferred to a hospital with a fever clinic for further confirmation.
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Those who test negative but have symptoms will need to have daily antigen tests for five days.
In a guideline on Wednesday, the World Health Organization said Covid-19 self-testing could be considered for both diagnostic and screening purposes.
“Depending on the epidemiological situation, a positive self-test result in symptomatic individuals or those with recent exposure could be used for diagnosis, and to facilitate linkage to clinical care and therapeutics,” the guideline said.


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Coronavirus pandemic

China approves Covid-19 rapid antigen tests for public use

Customers buy Covid-19 rapid antigen test kits in Hong Kong. Such tests will soon be available to the public on the mainland. Photo: Bloomberg

Coronavirus: Hong Kong daily Covid caseloads peaked in early March, health officials say, but latest deaths push toll past 3,000

Community isolation facilities in Hong Kong are currently less than half full. Photo: Sam Tsang

Secretary for Security Chris Tang. Photo: Handout

A community isolation facility in San Tin, Lok Ma Chau. Photo: Sam Tsang

Coronavirus: Hong Kong Consumer Council rolls out search tool to check if rapid antigen test kits have been approved by authorities

Hong Kong Consumer Council has launched a  search tool for checking if rapid antigen test kits have been approved by authorities. Photo: Shutterstock 

Gilly Wong, chief executive of Hong Kong’s Consumer Council. Photo: Nora Tam

Coronavirus: what Singapore’s home test kits can teach Hong Kong about the ART of war on Covid-19

People relax in Singapore’s financial district. Photo: AFP

An ART kit distributed by the Singapore government. Photo: Handout

Passengers arriving at Changi Airport in Singapore. Travellers arriving in the country no longer need to pay for the more expensive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, which cost S$125 (US$93). Instead they can take an ART within 24 hours of arrival. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has said the Chinese city has sourced 100 million rapid test kits. Photo: SCMP Pictures

ART kits on sale at Guardian pharmacy. Photo: Handout

A self-test vending machine in Singapore. Photo: Ministry of Health

News

China

Science

Coronavirus

Greater China


Kits to be deployed for early detection but nucleic acid results still needed for confirmation
For the fist time, anybody will be able to buy the tests



Kits to be deployed for early detection but nucleic acid results still needed for confirmation.


Coronavirus pandemic: All stories

Coronavirus China

China approves Covid-19 rapid antigen tests for public use

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Kits to be deployed for early detection but nucleic acid results still needed for confirmation For the fist time, anybody will be able to buy the tests

Kits to be deployed for early detection but nucleic acid results still needed for confirmation

For the fist time, anybody will be able to buy the tests